When it comes to buying tickets for concerts, sports games, and other live events, StubHub and Ticketmaster are two of the biggest players in the secondary ticket market. Both companies charge fees on top of the ticket price, but which one ultimately costs more for buyers and sellers? Here’s an in-depth look at StubHub and Ticketmaster fees to help you decide which site may be better for your next ticket purchase.
StubHub Fees
StubHub charges fees to both buyers and sellers in order to facilitate ticket transactions on their marketplace. As a buyer, you’ll pay the following StubHub fees:
- Service fee – This fee goes to StubHub and varies based on the ticket price, event, and demand. It ranges from 10% to 25% of the ticket cost.
- Fulfillment fee – For mobile or print-at-home ticket delivery, this fee is typically around $5 per ticket.
- Order processing fee – A flat fee of $5.95 per order.
Sellers on StubHub also pay fees to list and sell their tickets:
- Listing fee – Ranges from 10% to 20% of the ticket price. Lower priced tickets have a higher listing fee percentage.
- Final value fee – Charged after the ticket sells and is 15% of the sale price.
In addition, StubHub charges sellers a shipping fee if they opt to have tickets physically mailed to the buyer. This fee varies based on shipping method.
Ticketmaster Fees
As an official ticket provider for many major venues and artists, Ticketmaster likewise charges fees to buyers and sellers:
- Service fee – Ranges from 10% to 25% of the base ticket price depending on the event. This helps cover Ticketmaster’s operating costs.
- Order processing fee – A flat fee around $6-$12 per ticket order.
- Delivery fee – Roughly $2-$12 for standard mail delivery per ticket.
For sellers, Ticketmaster charges the following fees:
- Seller fee – Around 5% to 20% of the ticket price.
- Final value fee – This fee is around 10% and is charged when the ticket sells successfully.
- Shipping fee – If shipping tickets to the buyer, this fee is typically $2-$5 per order.
Ticketmaster also charges a re-list fee if a seller decides to change the price of an unsold ticket listing.
Comparing Fees
When looking at StubHub vs Ticketmaster fees, there are a few key differences to note:
- Both charge variable service fees to buyers and sellers, with StubHub’s tending to run slightly higher.
- StubHub has an order processing fee for buyers while Ticketmaster does not.
- Ticketmaster adds separate delivery fees more often than StubHub.
- StubHub’s seller listing fee and final value fee may be higher than Ticketmaster’s in some cases.
To better visualize the differences, here’s a table comparing example StubHub and Ticketmaster buyer fees for a $100 concert ticket:
Fee Type | StubHub | Ticketmaster |
---|---|---|
Service fee | $25 | $20 |
Order processing | $5.95 | $0 |
Delivery | $0 (e-ticket) | $8 |
Total fees | $30.95 | $28 |
In this example, StubHub’s total fees are about 10% higher than Ticketmaster’s, primarily due to the order processing fee. Keep in mind that actual fees will vary quite a bit based on the specifics of each ticket purchase.
Ways To Save on Fees
Regardless of whether you use StubHub or Ticketmaster, here are some tips that may help you reduce fees and maximize savings when buying tickets:
- Buy e-tickets for instant delivery instead of mailed tickets when possible. This avoids delivery fees.
- Sell unwanted tickets to recoup some of the fees you paid as a buyer.
- Stick to buyer orders under $50 to cap StubHub’s order processing fee at $5.95.
- List lower priced tickets on StubHub to qualify for a 10% seller listing fee.
- Bundle multiple tickets into a single StubHub order since the order processing fee is flat.
- Use Ticketmaster coupons and promo codes which are often available.
- Purchase Platinum seats on Ticketmaster which have no added fees.
Other Factors To Consider
Aside from fees, there are some other important differences between StubHub and Ticketmaster that may influence your decision of which to use:
- Selection – Ticketmaster has exclusive ticket deals for many venues and artists. StubHub has a broader inventory that includes re-sale tickets.
- Buyer protection – StubHub guarantees valid tickets or your money back. Ticketmaster has more variable policies.
- Seller payouts – StubHub pays sellers as soon as the event passes. Ticketmaster’s payout timing is less consistent.
- Mobile experience – StubHub’s mobile app generally rates higher than Ticketmaster’s in reviews.
Weighing fees along with other factors will help you choose the best ticket provider for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- StubHub and Ticketmaster both charge variable service and processing fees to buyers and sellers.
- StubHub tends to have higher order processing fees while Ticketmaster adds delivery fees more often.
- Fees can add 10-25%+ to Ticketmaster prices and 15-30%+ to StubHub prices in many cases.
- Consider selection, buyer protection, seller payouts, and mobile experience along with fees.
- Use instant e-tickets, bundle orders, sell unwanted tickets, and find coupons to reduce fees.
The Bottom Line
When choosing between StubHub vs Ticketmaster for your next ticket purchase, closely compare their fees using estimates tailored to that specific event. In general, StubHub fees tend to run a bit higher overall, but actual costs will depend on the ticket specifics. Weigh fees along with other factors like selection, buyer protection, and convenience to determine if slightly higher fees may be worthwhile for your needs. With strategies like choosing e-tickets and bundling orders, you may be able to minimize fees and costs on either platform.